🔥 Lighter

In the US, a lighter found loose in a carry-on bag rather than on your person will be confiscated, because TSA requires you to keep it on your body. In China, any lighter found in either carry-on or checked baggage will be taken, as lighters are banned entirely on all flights there. In most other regions the lighter will be allowed if it is a standard disposable or Zippo-style, but torch and jet-flame lighters will be confiscated everywhere.

No. China is the only region that bans lighters entirely, covering both carry-on and checked baggage on all flights. This applies regardless of lighter type, so even a standard disposable lighter cannot travel on Chinese carriers or through Chinese airports. Leave your lighter at home if your itinerary includes a Chinese airport.

TSA screeners look for lighters when bags go through the X-ray, and a lighter sitting loose in your bag rather than in your pocket is technically non-compliant and can be confiscated. In practice enforcement can vary, but the safest approach is always to pocket the lighter before you reach the checkpoint. Torch lighters are taken without exception no matter where they are found.

You cannot pack a standard lighter in checked baggage in the US — they are prohibited there. In Canada, lighters are permitted both on your person and in carry-on, which gives more flexibility if one is taken at the checkpoint. Your safest backup plan on most routes is to buy a cheap disposable lighter at your destination rather than risk confiscation.